Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 28, 1997

Release #514-97

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958, Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972 Michael Regan (718) 694-2025 (FDNY)


MAYOR GIULIANI AND FIRE COMMISSIONER VON ESSEN OFFICIATE AT FDNY-EMS GRADUATION AND PROMOTION CEREMONY

78 New Emergency Medical Technicians Ready to Hit the Streets

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today presided over a graduation ceremony for 78 emergency medical technicians who successfully completed the Fire Department's Cadet Corps program which debuted last October. Today's ceremony also marked the promotion of 16 emergency medical technicians and paramedics to the rank of Lieutenant and three Lieutenants to the rank of Captain.

"This is a great day for the Fire Department and the Bureau of Emergency Medical Service," Mayor Giuliani said. "It is my honor to swear in the very first graduating class of the Fire Department's Cadet Corps. We started the Corps last October to offer specialized career training for talented, college-educated New Yorkers of all backgrounds who wanted to enter the Fire Department and the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. Graduates of this program are individuals who know this City and understand the many communities that make us who we are.

"Thanks to the support of the Fire Department and EMS and because of your deep commitment you are ready to serve the people of this City. Your energy and expertise will be indispensable to EMS and the Fire Department. Thank you for choosing this very difficult, very rewarding career. You and your families should be proud," the Mayor continued.

"You enter a Department and a Bureau responsible for protecting the lives and saving the lives of 7.5 million people. Fire Commissioner Von Essen and I are committed to giving you the support you deserve, giving you the resources you need to serve the people of this City. We've put in place Advanced Paramedic Response Units (APRU) and have created a battalion-based ambulance system to get to emergencies faster.

"And to our new Lieutenants and Captains, thank you for your years of service. Being a good paramedic or emergency medical technician takes expertise, intelligence, composure and judgment. We are proud to have all of you in our corner when we need you," the Mayor concluded.

Commissioner Von Essen said, "Today marks a very special day within the New York City Fire Department. First, I'd like to extend my congratulations to the new EMS Bureau Captains and Lieutenants who have succeeded in their leadership training and will make significant contributions in the implementation of our community based Battalion Ambulance Stations. I am also very pleased with the progress our first Cadet class has made from the first day of orientation at John Jay College through their EMS training in the Academy. This graduation ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter in the proud history and tradition of the Fire Department and the EMS Bureau."

Last week, the Mayor and Queens Borough President Claire Shulman officially opened community-based Battalion 46 Emergency Medical Services Station at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens. This station is the start of a new program to place ambulances and emergency service personnel closer to the community, so that they can respond rapidly to emergencies.

The FDNY Cadet Corps is a one year program offered to CUNY students. The Corps' goal is to establish a diverse pool of highly motivated students who train as EMTs, serve in FDNY-EMS, and will have the opportunity of taking the Firefighters test in October of 1998 as a promotional exam.

The Cadets have spent the past several months participating in a rigorous course of study, undergoing extensive physical training, and working closely with a team of assigned mentors. A second FDNY Cadet class is scheduled to commence in the fall. For information about the FDNY Cadet Corps program call (718) 85-CADET or (718) 694-2732/3.

www.ci.nyc.ny.us


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